Biographies of four women presented in the form of children’s stories launched

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 4: Biographies of four pioneering women who played significant roles in their respective fields have been released as illustrated children’s stories.

 According to a press release issued by Nepalaya, the collection of biographies including ‘Unstoppable Ambica’, ‘Unstoppable Ani’, ‘Unstoppable Sapana’ and ‘Unstoppable Pasang’ launched at Dwarika’s Hotel in Battisputali on Sunday, just 45 days after the passing of tourism entrepreneur Ambica Shrestha.

 The books includes the life stories of the late Ambica Shrestha, justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, and Buddhist nun and singer Ani Choying Drolma.

 The collection, written by Luja Mathema, has been published by Publication Nepalaya.

During the event, after the author Mathema’s daughter Samaira handed over the book, the four women or their representatives unveiled the book. 

The late Ambica and Pasang Lhamu were represented by their daughters, Sangeeta and Dawa, respectively.

 Speaking at the programme, Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla said that parents should make their children aware of rights from an early age, according to  the press release. 

Likewise, Ani Choying Drolma said that her childhood was harsh and different from that of most children, and it was this difference that shaped her into who she is today.

Luja Mathema, who studied International Relations and Gender Development at the London School of Economics, has begun writing a series of narrative children’s biographies titled ‘Unstoppable Women’. 

 The collection of four leading Nepali women is the first in the series.

The illustrations in these short and simple stories of unstoppable Nepali women were created by Prakash Ranjit, Shaili Malla and Nhyuj Shakya while the stories were translated into Nepali by Prabin Adhikari. Each book is available in both English and Nepali versions.

“Stories of the struggles and successes of Nepali women are rarely told,” said Saijan Maskey, CEO of Publication Nepalaya.

According to Maskey, all four books are now available at major bookstores across the country.

The collection of four books is priced at Rs. 2,800.